Former AC Milan midfielders Gennaro Gattuso and Clarence Seedorf believe that Kevin-Prince Boateng was not right in leaving the pitch against Pro Patria on Thursday.
The 25-year-old midfielder stormed off after being racially abused by a section of the away supporters during the Rossoneri's friendly game in Busto Arsizio and his teammates followed him off the pitch.
"I've lived five kilometres away from Busto Arsizio for years and that area is full of foreigners," Gattuso told Il Corriere della Sera. "There are no racists in Busto. What happened yesterday was the fault of a group of imbeciles.
"How many times have there been boos against white players in the past? It's happened to me to but I didn't give it any importance. Boateng certainly felt he was offended but I continue to not see it as racism.
"It just seems to be the latest episode of collective idiocy from a minority. If we are convinced that there is a racism problem then strong decisions need to be made. I, however, continue to believe that Italy is not a racist country."
Seedorf said that Milan players should not have left the pitch.
"[Leaving the field] gave space to these people who behave in a racist manner," he said.
Boateng joined Milan from Portsmouth in 2010.
Subhankar Mondal
